Dr. Strangelove Is Horrifyingly Relevant Again

by Robert Brent Toplin

Robert Brent Toplin is
professor emeritus at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
He was also a professor at Denison University and has taught courses
at the University of Virginia. Toplin has published several books
that deal with history, politics, and film. Contact:
rt2b@virginia.edu

Dr.
Strangelove, a dark comedy from 1964, is
relevant to politics in 2017. The movie reminds us that an impulsive
leader can push a nation into an unnecessary war. Dr.
Strangelove shows a crazed U.S. military
officer (General Ripper) mistaking an alert for the beginning of
hostilities during the Cold War. The general calls for air strikes
against the Soviet Union. When American and Soviet leaders try to
prevent Armageddon, much goes wrong. Eventually the world is engulfed
in mushroom clouds. Director Stanley Kubrick film poked fun at Cold
War hysteria, but he also delivered a poignant message. Humanity is
at risk when an emotionally unbalanced leader can signal a nuclear
attack.

World
leaders are currently worried about Kim Jong-un’s nuclear ambitions
for North Korea, but they are anxious, too, about President Donald
Trump’s confrontational approach when dealing with the North
Koreans’ bombs and missiles. At various times, the American
president reacted to provocations with aggressive rhetoric. Trump
said there is a chance of a “major, major conflict” if North
Korea does not curb its nuclear ambitions. He declared the era of
strategic patience with North Korea “is over.” In response to a
long-range missile firing, the President assured Americans, “We’ll
handle North Korea . . . It will be handled.” Trump acts like he
will not accept a continued nuclear and missile buildup by Kim
Jong-un, yet the Korean dictator shows no sign of letting up.
President Trump and officials in his administration say a military
option remains on the table.

Kim
Jong-un acts like he is playing hardball, too. His Korean Central
News Agency warned, “There is no bigger mistake than the United
States believing that its land is safe across the ocean.” The
organization said the United States will “pay dearly for all its
heinous crimes” if it commits aggression. Within days, President
Trump reacted, saying, “They will be met with fire and fury like
the world has never seen.” Diplomats are alarmed because leaders in
the United States and North Korea have been ramping up verbal threats
in recent weeks. On August 7, the Washington
Post reported that Asian leaders were “racing
to find a way to tap down a standoff that is growing more entrenched
and dangerous by the day.”

Some American pundits
believe President Trump’s macho language aims to benefit
negotiations with North Korea rather than create a rationale for
military intervention. Occasionally the President takes a less
belligerent stand, they note. Trump said he would be “honored” to
meet Kim Jong-un under the “right circumstances.” The Trump
administration may tolerate problems when dealing with North Korea,
as previous administrations have done. Bill Clinton, George W. Bush,
and Barack Obama tried a variety of strategies that included warnings
and negotiations. Their diplomacy produced a few small achievements
but failed to halt North Korea’s long-term military buildup. Trump
offers more bluster than the other presidents, but his policies may
not differ substantially. The Trump administration is pinning hopes
on UN sanctions and help from North Korea’s powerful neighbor,
China. Perhaps Trump and his team will continue to apply pressure but
avoid a call to arms.

Bellicose
language may complicate efforts to resolve a crisis, however. It is a
factor in Dr. Strangelove. Scenes
of the Pentagon’s War Roomshow
the American President and his advisers dealing with an emergency.
They have only a few hours to prevent nuclear holocaust. But an
excitable U.S. general, “Buck” Turgidson (comically and
brilliantly played by George C. Scott) takes a belligerent stand.
When the Soviet ambassador visits the War Room to help defuse the
crisis, Turgidson observes the Russian’s picture-taking and
denounces the “commie rat.” A fight breaks out between the Soviet
ambassador and Turgidson. The President scolds them, “Gentlemen.
You can’t fight in here. This is the War Room!” When nuclear
devastation seems inevitable, Turgidson recommends quick action to
secure American dominance in the aftermath. This unhinged general’s
language and behavior reveal a dangerously hawkish mentality.

In
present-day Washington, D.C., it is not a crazed general that has
many Americans worried; it is the President of the United States.
Senator Jeff Flake (Republican from Arizona) addresses some of these
concerns in a new book, Conscience of a
Conservative. Flake says Trump exhibits
“erratic” and “impulsive” behavior that is “reckless,
outrageous, and undignified.” Several journalists have drawn
attention to the President’s combative responses to news reports
about meetings with Russians and possible collusion associated with
the 2016 presidential election. They wonder how Trump will react if
special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation applies much greater
legal pressure. Trump might attempt a bold initiative in foreign
affairs to deflect public attention from his troubled presidency.

These
journalists are aware of a related pressure-cooker situation years
ago that aroused concern about a president’s fitness for military
command. In 1974 Richard Nixon seemed dangerously unstable during his
final days in the White House. Defense Secretary James Schlesinger
secretly informed leaders of the U.S. armed forces that they should
not authorize nuclear strikes without Schlesinger’s confirmation
and approval from Henry Kissinger. That order was unconstitutional
but apparently wise in view of Nixon’s mental state. The Watergate
scandal was destroying Nixon’s reputation, and officials worried
that the President might try something extraordinary. Nixon could
order military action to deflect public attention from his troubles
or seek ways to look strong at a time of personal weakness.

If
Donald Trump’s behavior turns more unsettling as investigations
continue by the special counsel, the FBI, the Congress and the news
media, Vladimir Putin could seize an opportunity. The Russian
President might send troops into Ukraine and Eastern Europe. In that
emergency, with a seemingly paralyzed executive branch, Washington
officials might find it difficult to respond quickly and forcefully.

A
scenario involving Putin’s aggression would be dangerous for the
United States and Europe, but a more immediate threat relates to
North Korea. A military escalation with Kim Jong-un’s regime could
trigger missile firings by the United States and North Korea.
Thousands of people in South Korea, Japan, and other countries could
be endangered as well as many in North Korea and the United States.
Dr. Strangelove, a
dark comedy of the Cold War, has something to say about this threat.
The movie reminds audiences that in the nuclear age humanity is in
jeopardy when bellicose leaders promote confrontation rather than
communication and negotiation.